Insights into Writing Development as motivated by our reading of Lucy Calkins' The Art of Teaching Writing



Directions: As indicated on the prep sheet, highlight your chapter for the rest of the class by developing your wiki page below. One of the key features of a wiki as a tool is that allows for and facilitates collaborative writing. If wikis or composing on a wiki is new to you, please see the resources provided in the Technology Resources section related to wikis.


On your group’s wiki page (see links below), collaborate to provide a summary that highlights the most important points of the chapter along with an explicit “Transition Statement” that provides a bridge to the next chapter / developmental stage. Note what you feel are the key points presented in the chapter as well as any questions you might want to discuss. Be prepared to share your perceptions of the focus chapter with the larger group in class next week.


While your group may be reading a chapter out of your "level," it is important to consider writing as a developmental skill. Part of what Calkins offers us here is insight into the developmental changes students undergo with regard to writing. Be sure to think about what she offers us as teachers of writing in general, as well as within and across grade and ability levels.


- Calkins Ch. 6: The Foundations of Literacy: Writing in the Home, the Nursery School, and the Kindergarten - Nicole, Jing, Taylor


- Calkins Ch. 7: Growing Up Writing: Grades K, 1, and 2 - Ina, Diana, Chris


- Calkins Ch. 8: In Between: Grades 2 and 3 - Mei, Caroline, Yunfei


- Calkins Ch. 9: Developing Learning Communities in the Upper Elementary Grades - Margo, Lindsey, Yue


- Calkins Ch.10: Teaching Adolescents: Improvisation and Commitment - Shasha, Deb, Shuhui